President for efforts by OIC to safeguard Ummah’s interests

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday emphasized the need for sustained and concerted efforts by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for the promotion of shared values, safeguarding the interests of the Ummah and solidarity amongst member states.He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive and dynamic role to re-invigorate the OIC on all contemporary challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah.During his meeting with Iyad Ameen Abdullah Madani, OIC Secretary General at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President stated that Pakistan with its legacy rooted in the Islamic faith and its consistent support for the Muslim causes, is a founding member of the OIC and that Pakistan has always worked to promote and support legitimate causes of the Muslim Ummah. Welcoming the new secretary General of OIC, the President expressed satisfaction at the successful election of Iyad Madni as the new OIC Secretary General expressing confidence that under his leadership and guidance OIC will raise its profile at the global level and play a significant role in promoting the interests of the Muslim world.The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support to all efforts aimed at strengthening unity among the Islamic countries which he said would enable the Organization to achieve its full potential as the united voice of the Ummah.The President appreciated the support of OIC member countries for the election of Ambassador Naeem Khan of Pakistan to the post of OIC Assistant Secretary General and said that this will further promote and strengthen our already existing cooperation at the OIC.He also thanked the Secretary General for active participation of OIC member states delegations in the First Forum of OIC Ombudsman held in Islamabad in April 2014 and expressed hope that the productive interaction will lead to long term arrangements to synergize efforts to accomplish the goal of good governance, justice and social peace through effective Ombudsmanship in OIC countries.On promoting cooperation in the field of Science and technology, the President said that as chairman Standing Committee on Science and Technology Pakistan has been playing a constructive role in making COMSTECH an effective and vibrant body for promoting Science and Technology among the member states, adding that Pakistan was keen to host the OIC Summit on Science and Technology along with the 15th General Assembly meeting of COMSTECH in first quarter of 2015.On Palestine issue, the President said that Pakistan joins the international community in condemning the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and reiterated that Pakistan will continue to lend its unconditional support for the peaceful and just struggle of Palestinian people and their right to self determination and establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.Appreciating OIC’s consistent support for the legitimate cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the President said that Pakistan is committed to a just and peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the aspirations of Kashmiri people.Iyad Ameen Abdullah Madani, OIC Secretary General commended the positive role of Pakistan in the Muslim world and the OIC activities and expressed hope that Pakistan will continue to play its active role in strengthening unity in Muslim Ummah and various activities of the OIC.